My experience with U.S. Youth Action Council for the UN Ocean Decade has had a meaningful and lasting impact on my life. This isn’t just a leadership program, it’s a launchpad for youth to drive real environmental impact.

It deepened my commitment to environmental advocacy and gave me the confidence to begin creating my own platform, Youth for Climate Education, which empowers young people to take climate action through accessible educational resources. Being part of a national initiative showed me the power of collaboration, and it inspired me to think bigger in terms of the change I could help create. I now approach projects with a more strategic mindset, and I’ve built lasting connections with other youth advocates who continue to motivate and support my journey.

What exceeded my expectations most about participating in U.S. Youth Action Council for the UN Ocean Decade was how much trust and responsibility was placed in us as youth leaders. I expected to learn and contribute, but I didn’t expect to be given such a strong voice. From engaging in high-level discussions to helping organize impactful events like our World Water Day brand audit, I truly felt like an equal partner in the work.